How do you handle more than one!!

I used to do preschool w 13 kids at once and I thought, "taking care of just one will be easy!" but I didn't factor in sleep dep, no other adults during the day, and the 24/7 nature of the job, plus housework, errands, etc...feels like I am still trying to catch up after 3 months and I only have one child! How do so many sahm's manage to keep their home nice, get things done, and take care of their kids too? Feeling like a failure :(

I used to do preschool w 13 kids at once and I thought, "taking care of just one will be easy!" but I didn't factor in sleep dep, no other adults during the day, and the 24/7 nature of the job, plus housework, errands, etc...feels like I am still trying to catch up after 3 months and I only have one child! How do so many sahm's manage to keep their home nice, get things done, and take care of their kids too? Feeling like a failure :(

It takes time to figure out and luckily, they grow up in stages so it gives you time. Mothering has a way of making many of us feel inadequate, so try to focus on what you did get done in a day and not what you didn't. Hang in there, mama!!

It takes time to figure out and luckily, they grow up in stages so it gives you time. Mothering has a way of making many of us feel inadequate, so try to focus on what you did get done in a day and not what you didn't. Hang in there, mama!!

You might not be able to keep your home as nice as you want or get things done on time (or sometimes, at all). It's good to have some expectations, but your normal ones probably need to be lowered. I wish I had followed this hierarchy when DD was born: Baby's needs, mama's needs, baby's wants, mama's wants, everything else. Hang in there. If you can swing it, it really helps to outsource the house cleaning.

You might not be able to keep your home as nice as you want or get things done on time (or sometimes, at all). It's good to have some expectations, but your normal ones probably need to be lowered. I wish I had followed this hierarchy when DD was born: Baby's needs, mama's needs, baby's wants, mama's wants, everything else. Hang in there. If you can swing it, it really helps to outsource the house cleaning.

Schedule.We have four, and are expecting our fifth. My husband is rarely home (works 100hrs a week) and doesn't get up with the babies at night, or participate in cleaning etc. Our kids also are involved in a lot of extracurricular activities so my sanity depends on routine otherwise it gets wayyy too chaotic.I'm completely dependent on a schedule and routine, and we don't stray from it even on the weekends. We get up at our normal time, and go through our day according to schedule.Our little ones nap at the same time every day, get up at the same time, eat meals and go to bed at the same time, our older kids have more flexibility, but they do chores.We also have less stuff than most people do (toys etc... Because its more to keep organized and clean)I also run on a schedule, Wednesdays I do a big grocery shop, Mondays and Thursdays I do the laundry. Sunday's we change bedding. Floors are swept and damp mopped every night. It seems like a lot to some, but life for us is easier when we run on schedule.

Schedule.We have four, and are expecting our fifth. My husband is rarely home (works 100hrs a week) and doesn't get up with the babies at night, or participate in cleaning etc. Our kids also are involved in a lot of extracurricular activities so my sanity depends on routine otherwise it gets wayyy too chaotic.I'm completely dependent on a schedule and routine, and we don't stray from it even on the weekends. We get up at our normal time, and go through our day according to schedule.Our little ones nap at the same time every day, get up at the same time, eat meals and go to bed at the same time, our older kids have more flexibility, but they do chores.We also have less stuff than most people do (toys etc... Because its more to keep organized and clean)I also run on a schedule, Wednesdays I do a big grocery shop, Mondays and Thursdays I do the laundry. Sunday's we change bedding. Floors are swept and damp mopped every night. It seems like a lot to some, but life for us is easier when we run on schedule.

I had twins and believe me I felt like I couldnt get a grip on anything. I basically had no time for sleeping, eating, cleaning. All I did was take care of 2 infants for 2 months. As they get older you develop a routine.

And of course, you just do what you have to do and life goes. We are now expecting #3 and i feel like its going to be a piece of cake

I had twins and believe me I felt like I couldnt get a grip on anything. I basically had no time for sleeping, eating, cleaning. All I did was take care of 2 infants for 2 months. As they get older you develop a routine.

And of course, you just do what you have to do and life goes. We are now expecting #3 and i feel like its going to be a piece of cake

I have to say, it was actually easier on me to have two (16 months apart) bc my first was a high-maintenance baby. When the second came along, it was a distraction for her. Lol. I would say two things helped with my sanity: establishing a routine and getting out of the house once a day, as needed. Even if I went to the market for just one thing or walked around Target, it was a change of scenery for all of us, and it took time to load, unload, ride in the car, unload, go inside, walk around, reload, etc. by the time the outing was over, we were glad to be home again. And then it was naptime. Ha ha. I did stick to a schedule though. Another thing was that I did not try to accomplish much when I went places with the kids. If I got it all done--great! But I had to be careful not to have a huge agenda when I went somewhere. And I had to let expectations of getting things done be zero! That way, I was not frustrated and disappointed. Just my attitude alone about "getting things done" as I was able helped me and also helped my children. Hope this helps!

I have to say, it was actually easier on me to have two (16 months apart) bc my first was a high-maintenance baby. When the second came along, it was a distraction for her. Lol. I would say two things helped with my sanity: establishing a routine and getting out of the house once a day, as needed. Even if I went to the market for just one thing or walked around Target, it was a change of scenery for all of us, and it took time to load, unload, ride in the car, unload, go inside, walk around, reload, etc. by the time the outing was over, we were glad to be home again. And then it was naptime. Ha ha. I did stick to a schedule though. Another thing was that I did not try to accomplish much when I went places with the kids. If I got it all done--great! But I had to be careful not to have a huge agenda when I went somewhere. And I had to let expectations of getting things done be zero! That way, I was not frustrated and disappointed. Just my attitude alone about "getting things done" as I was able helped me and also helped my children. Hope this helps!

When they're little, I seriously doubt any mom has an immaculate house and all laundry done! If they do, they probably have a housekeeper or family helping them. And if they are doing it all alone, an they're house is immaculate and all is together, in my opinion, that's actually a bad thing. Because that means your priorities are out of whack. Caring for your child is number one. An immaculate house is obviously second. I've finally had to come to terms with the fact that my house is not going to be organized and clean and all the laundry done and folded 24hrs a day. And there's not going to be a from scratch home cooked meal every single night. It's ok to order out once in a while. I WAS trying to do it all, and nearly gave myself a nervous breakdown. Also, I look back now, and regret times I was cleaning or cooking when I should have been spending time with my babies. My life is especially hectic. I have 15 month old twins, a 5 BR, 3 bath home, 4 dogs (3 of which are elderly, on meds, have chronic diseases, all live inside, shed like crazy, 3 BIG dogs), a cat, and a turtle. I'm responsible for the care of all of the above. My DH works 70+ hrs a week. We also have no family within 250 miles. Now, I've added caring for my ill mother who is disabled, has a feeding tube i care for and feed her, on oxygen, huge wound I have to pack daily, meds three times a day, and bringing her to doctor's appts. I had a pretty good routine down finally, where there were meals 5/6 times a week at least, laundry always done, house relatively together and clean. But now with my mom in the mix, all that's out the window again, just like when my twins were newborns. I just keep thinking to myself, 3/4 more years, and things will be better. In the meantime, I'll take one day at a time, and just do the best I can. What truly matters though is that I cherish every minute with my babies, as time flies, and they grow so fast.

When they're little, I seriously doubt any mom has an immaculate house and all laundry done! If they do, they probably have a housekeeper or family helping them. And if they are doing it all alone, an they're house is immaculate and all is together, in my opinion, that's actually a bad thing. Because that means your priorities are out of whack. Caring for your child is number one. An immaculate house is obviously second. I've finally had to come to terms with the fact that my house is not going to be organized and clean and all the laundry done and folded 24hrs a day. And there's not going to be a from scratch home cooked meal every single night. It's ok to order out once in a while. I WAS trying to do it all, and nearly gave myself a nervous breakdown. Also, I look back now, and regret times I was cleaning or cooking when I should have been spending time with my babies. My life is especially hectic. I have 15 month old twins, a 5 BR, 3 bath home, 4 dogs (3 of which are elderly, on meds, have chronic diseases, all live inside, shed like crazy, 3 BIG dogs), a cat, and a turtle. I'm responsible for the care of all of the above. My DH works 70+ hrs a week. We also have no family within 250 miles. Now, I've added caring for my ill mother who is disabled, has a feeding tube i care for and feed her, on oxygen, huge wound I have to pack daily, meds three times a day, and bringing her to doctor's appts. I had a pretty good routine down finally, where there were meals 5/6 times a week at least, laundry always done, house relatively together and clean. But now with my mom in the mix, all that's out the window again, just like when my twins were newborns. I just keep thinking to myself, 3/4 more years, and things will be better. In the meantime, I'll take one day at a time, and just do the best I can. What truly matters though is that I cherish every minute with my babies, as time flies, and they grow so fast.

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